Skene Scotch Whisky released two new single cask expressions for Easter 2021. One was a “Braeval 2014 American Oak”. Only 327 bottles were filled at a generous 50% ABV, with natural colour and no chill filtration. The price is just £35.00 for a 70cl bottle, which is available from Skene’s website shop and from selected UK retailer.
Braeval Distillery is perhaps one of Speyside’s hidden gems. It is located in Chapeltown of Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, and is one of the highest distilleries in the whole of Scotland.
Originally called Braes of Glenlivet, Braeval Distillery was built in the early Seventies by Seagram’s to produce whisky for Chivas Blends.
Allegedly, Seagram’s chose the site because of the quality of the water (Preenie & Kate’s Well).
Like its sibling Allt-a-Bhainne, Braeval’s construction was uncompromisingly modern in many aspects. However, there are traditional aspects, such as the pagoda roof that can be seen clearly in the above photo.
Talking of the roof, the first mash seemingly occurred before it had been put onto the distillery, because Seagram’s chairman was coming from Canada to inspect the new facility.
Pernod Ricard bought Braeval Distillery in 2001, but mothballed it the following year. However, soon afterwards, Scotch whisky’s current boom started to take off. As a result, Pernod re-opened Allt-a-Bhainne Distillery in 2005 and Braeval three years later in 2008.
Braeval Distillery now has two large wash stills and four smaller spirit stills, giving it a maximum capacity of 4.2 million litres per annum. The stills have thin necks and upward sloping lyne arms, which contribute to a light style of whisky with some floral notes.
The distillery is highly automated, keeping labour costs to a minimum. There are no warehouses on site, with new make being tankered away for cask filling and maturation elsewhere.
Braeval Distillery’s first official bottling was only released in 2017. Sadly, it was only a 16 year old single cask, which was available exclusively from Chivas’ visitor centres.
Then, in 2019, three expressions from Braeval were included in “The Secret Speyside Collection”, which were 25, 27 and 30 year olds, all matured in ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads. Needless to say, they weren’t cheap!
There was also an 18 year old available in the Distillery Reserve Collection from visitor centres.
Independent bottlings of Braeval are also uncommon and often expensive. So, Skene Scotch Whisky’s latest bottling is bound to be popular, as it gives drinkers the rare opportunity to try a young, vibrant and fresh single cask Braeval expression for a ‘drinks cabinet’ price.
